Jalen Brunson steals the show as Knicks beat Thunder in MSG return

Jalen Brunson turned Madison Square Garden red-hot on 18 June, driving the New York Knicks past the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-108 behind 28 points and seven assists.

What happened at MSG?

The Knicks used a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter to erase a late deficit and secure the win. Brunson finished with 28 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in 36 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns, making his first MSG appearance since leaving Minnesota, chokeslammed two WWE superstars during a courtside promo before tip-off. The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren led all scorers with 26 points, but New York’s bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 28-14.

Why it matters for Jalen Brunson

Brunson’s performance reinforced his status as the Knicks’ go-to scorer in high-leverage moments. His 28-point outing marked his fifth straight game with at least 25 points, tying a career high. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and kept New York within two games of the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the East. Towns’ courtside stunt added a sideshow, but Brunson’s clutch play kept the focus on the court.

What comes next for the Knicks

New York faces the Milwaukee Bucks on 20 June in Milwaukee. Brunson will look to extend his scoring streak against a Bucks defense ranked third in the league. The Thunder, meanwhile, drop to 38-44 and inch closer to missing the playoffs. Brunson’s next outing could further define the Knicks’ playoff positioning.

The Towns sideshow steals the spotlight

Towns’ WWE cameo overshadowed even Brunson’s performance. He power-slammed two superstars during a live promo, drawing cheers and boos from the MSG crowd. The moment went viral, but the Knicks’ win belonged to Brunson, who sealed the game with a step-back three over Jalen Williams with 1:22 left.